How to Prepare for Cross-Country Relocation

As exciting as a big move can be, cross-country relocation is no easy task. There are many factors to consider and essential to-dos involved in the planning of any long-distance move. Preparation includes everything from packing up your entire home, scheduling necessary travel arrangements, coordinating move-in and move-out days and even transporting your personal vehicles. Although this all may seem overwhelming, we’re here to help. We’ve outlined the most common questions and provided you with some tips and advice to help guide you through this process.

How do I pack for a cross-country move?

Start with having a solid moving plan. Breakdown this dauntless task by creating a schedule that helps spread out the packing across at least 4 weeks. That way you focus on one area of your home a week. By moving day, everything will be packed and ready to go!

One of the best ways to make packing easier is to purge all of the items that you don’t need. Go through every room in your home and decide what you’d like to keep, sell, donate or put in storage for later. We recommend giving your donations to places like Goodwill, Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity. For the items you want to sell, you can consider having a yard sale or try selling through a consignment store or online marketplace.

Lightening your load is especially important if you’re planning on hiring a moving company. The amount that they are going to charge you is largely dependent on the total weight of all your belongings. Since most cross-country relocations can end up costing several thousand dollars, you’ll want to save money wherever you can.

When packing your items, be sure to keep distance in mind. Toss any worn-out, warped boxes or bins and choose more sturdy options. New boxes can be relatively inexpensive but since you’ll most likely need quite a few, that can add up. Check with your local grocery stores for free boxes that are in good condition. Also, be sure to take extra care when packing your fragile items. Wrap them in bubble wrap, paper, and old towels or t-shirts.

How do I hire reputable long-distance movers?

To hire the best moving company, begin by researching customer reviews and ratings. You’ll also want to obtain quotes from three or four companies to find the best rate. Since you’re moving such a long distance, it will take some extra effort to find the right moving company.Special services and pricing will vary from company to company. Be sure to interview three or four movers to compare quotes before you ultimately hire a moving company for the job.  

In order to hire the most reputable and trustworthy moving company, affordability isn’t the only factor to consider. Though keeping costs down is important during a long-distance move, when it comes to your moving company, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. Unfortunately, moving scams exist but they can be easy to detect if you know what to look for. Aside from reading customer reviews, make sure to check if the company is licensed and insured. Companies that are trying to scam you will most likely not be licensed or insured. Checking for proper insurance is as quick as looking up the company on the FMCSA’s database. Also, the movers should able to provide you with proper documentation.

During the hiring process, take a close look at the coverage options that they provide you with. Typically, a moving company’s free, basic protection will only cover the bare minimum. If you feel that your belongings need additional protection, you may want to purchase full-value protection. With full-value protection, if any items are lost, stolen or damaged during transport, the moving company has essentially two options. You will not be held responsible and the company will have to decide how they will make amends for the property. They can either have the item fixed and returned to the same previous condition or they can have it replaced with an item that is of like-kind.

However, if you desire more comprehensive coverage, purchasing moving insurance from a third-party insurance company is always an option.

How do I plan a cross-country move?

Aside from packing and selecting a moving company, you’ll want to plan your actual move as early as possible. Here are the most important factors to consider when planning your physical move across the country.

• Lay out and schedule all of the trip details. Research and schedule all your travel arrangements at least a month in advance. From airline tickets to hotel reservations, scheduling these early is vital to ensure a successful trip.
• Collect all of your “must-haves” for the trip. These include any important documents, medications, clothing or toiletries for your trip and any valuables that you would want to keep an eye on. Pack a moving day essentials bag that has everything you’ll need in the days leading up to the move as well as during and after.
• Change your address. Nowadays, changing your address can all be done online. Fill out a quick form with USPS to ensure that all your mail is transferred to your new address. Also, be sure to change all of your billing addresses on any bank accounts or credit cards that you have.
• Take note of the condition of your items. We recommend taking photos of your belongings as you’re packing. That way, if anything is damaged during the move, you have proof and documentation to present to your moving company.
• Ask the driver of your moving truck for a contact number. Since it can take a week or more for your things to arrive, you’ll want to stay in contact and get status updates from the driver.
• Decide how you want to transport your vehicles. See below for how you can safely move your cars across the country through the use of an auto transport service. 

How do I transport my car across the country?

While you can always take a multiday, cross-country road trip, shipping your vehicle with a professional auto transport company is often preferred. Trusting an expert will ultimately help you save on time, avoid the extra stress of gas and hotel expenses, and have your car waiting for you when you arrive at your new home. As an added bonus, you won’t be adding any unnecessary miles to your odometer.

This service is especially desired if you own a classic or exotic vehicle. Driving these types of vehicles across the country is out of the question and the transport should be handled by professionals. At Exotic Car Transport, we understand the large investment involved in owning exotic cars. You will especially want your vehicle to be as secure as possible and to arrive at its final destination without a single dent or scratch. We recognize the risks involved and you can always count on our team of highly skilled experts to ensure that your vehicle is well-protected during the entire journey.

When you’re planning a cross-country relocation, you have plenty of things to stress and plan over. Don’t let auto transport be another confusing and challenging task on your list. After all, at Exotic Car Transport, this is our job and we’d be happy to take the stress off your hands. For more information about shipping your car across the country, give us a call today. Our experts are ready and available to help answer any questions you have. Also, if you are looking for a FREE quote, call us now.